Thermo-electric valve-controller



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. .M. SPARROW. THERMO ELECTRIC VALVE CONTROLLER.

No. 394,307. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

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(No Model.) 2v Shets-Sheet F. M. SPARROW.

THERMO ELEGTRIG VALVE CONTROLLER. No. 394,307. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

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FRANK MILLER SPARRO\V, OF )JIA'WIAPOISEF, MASSACHUSE'ITIS.

TH ERMO-ELECTRIC VALVE-CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,307, dated December 11, 1888.

Application filed January 12, 1887. Serial No. 224,163. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK MILLER SPAR- RoW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mattapoisett, in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in an Automatic Electro-Magnetic Valve-(ontroller, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to such an improvement that with a small electro-magnet and armature therefor, and weak supply of current, such a quantity of motion and power is obtainable as is usually obtained by usin a large clectro-magnet and large supply of current. To attain this end the succesive reciprocations of an armature placed very near its electro-magnet and moving through an arc of very small amplitude are united into one continuous motion. l ore.va1nple,if my armature moved at each electrical excitement of its magnet with a force able tolift five pounds one-eighth of an inch, and I should unite eight such motions, it is evident. that I should have lifted my weight one inch using a magnet and current that were only able to lift said weight one-eighth of an inch. Mechanically considered, it is necessary that the motions and attractive force of the armature, when it is drawn to its magnet, should be effective in doing work, and that an opportunity be given for withdrawing the armature from its magnet without affecting the power and motion previously obtained. Electrically considered, it is necessary that when a piece of work is to be done a current should begin to flow in the wire of the magnet, said current being dis continued as soon as the armature has been drawn up to its magnet, (an opportunity then being given for withdrawing of armature,) but said current being continued again as soon as the armature has been withdrawn a proper distance, and finally such intermittent flow of current discontinued entirely on completion of the desired piece of work. Now, if such mechanical and electrical requirements are contained in the appliance and provided by and obtained by its own act-ion without any outside attention or care, such an appliance would be called automatic. I attain these automatic mechanical and electrical results by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows the mechanism by an elevation of one side, and Fig. 2 shows shaft M, and yoke-piece L, with a jipurtenances. Fig. 3 shows diskswi1ch I. Fig. l showsinterinitting switch 0. Figs. 5, o, and 7 show applications of the invention. Fig. 8 is a view, enlarged, showing the connections of the chains attached to the dampers (shown in Fig. 5) with the cranked arm of the electric motor.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is a base and frame-work of wood or iron or other rigid material, said frame-work having projecting arms B D for support of other parts of mechanism.

E is an electro-magnet, being bolted directly to the frame-work,whenever that is of iron, by bolt F, so that iron frame-work acts as holder and back-piece for the magnet.

The armature G is pivoted and held at one end by means of pivot u of arm B, the other end of armature being similarly pivoted and held. The armature is shown as withdrawn from the magnet-heads by means of tensionspring H. The armature carries projecting piece I, which at Z) is jointed and connected by link-piece K with'yoke-piece L, Figs. 1 and 2. Said yoke-piece is hung on shaft M, Figs. 1 and 2, and embraces ratchet-wheel N, Figs. 1 and 2, said ratchet-wheel being fixed to shaft and turning with it. Shaft H has its bearings for one end at extremity of arm 0, the other end of shaft having bearings similarly made, two pawls, ratchets, or clicks for ratchet-wheel N, one at c, Fig. l, in arm C permitting said wheel to turn only in direction shown by arrow; another at (1, Figs. 1 and 2, in yoke-piece L, transmitting the motion of yoke-piece L to ratchetwheel N when point (I of yoke-piece rotates about shaft M in direction of arrow. Ratchets c d have suitable springs to hold them upon the ratchet-wheel N. Yoke-piece L also carries in a suitably-drilled hole intermitt-ing switch 0, Figs. 1, 3, and l, made of round rod or plug of insulating material, said rod bearing at one end metallic tube e, Figs. 1 and l, of same diameter as rod or plug 0, said tube being fastened to rod by suitable screw and washer. Yoke-piece L also carries the wire fork f, Figs. 1 and 2, with two prongs that clasp switch on either side, wire fork f being fixed to yoke-piece at g, Fig. 2.

5 In upper part of frame-work A are two adjustable screws, 7t 71, Fig. 1, one of which strikes rod or plug 0 from above and pushes it until wire fork f clasps metallic tube e; the other, on partial rotation of yoke-piece, strikes 1o rod or plug 0 from below and pushes said rod until metallic tube 6 is withdrawn from con tact with wire fork f or metal of yoke-piece L. In upper part of,,f1'an1e-work A are two other adjustable screws, m m, Fig. 1, which strike on yoke-piece L and limit its oscillations to any desirable arc.

P, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is a circular metallic disk held in position at farther end of shaft M by arm D. Metallic disk P has sectorshaped pieces a p, Figs. 1, and 3, cut therefrom, and disk P, with pieces 02. p, are fastened to insulating material, sothat each is completely insulated from the others and from all other parts of mechanism. Shaft M also carries at its farther end arm R, Figs. 1 and 2, said arm holding tongue 1', Figs. 1 and 2, said tongue so held that on rotation of shaft it transverses a circular path on the disk P and sectors 11 p.

S, Fig. 1, is an ordinary slide-switch having circular strips 3 t, and having an arm moving suitably for resting on strip 5 only, or strip if only, or resting on both at once.

T, Fig. 1, is battery or other source of elec- 3 5 tric current.

' WV WYF'ig. '1, represent wiresmaking suitable electrical connectionsviz., from one pole of battery T, through wire of magnet E,

to metallic tube 6 of intermitting switch 0,

4o thence, by means of. contact with wire fork f, v

yoke-piece L, shaft M, arm R, and tongue 0'',

to metallic disk P, or one of sector-shaped pieces a 19.

If tongue 1' rests on larger part of disk P,

5 current flows in wire attached at 11, Figs. 1

and 3, back to other pole of battery. If tongue be resting on sector-piece a, current flows by wire attached at y, Figs. 1 and 3, to. strip tof switch S, thence through movable arm and wire attached thereto to battery. If tongue 1" be resting on sector-piece 1), current would have a passage as far as switch S by means of wire attached at 00, but could not flow until movable arm of switch had been moved to touch strip 5 of switch S. Should movable arm of switch S be moved so as to touch strips 5 and 25 at same time, it will be seen that current will always have a path from tongue r of arm R to battery, wherever the arm B may be in its rotary motion; but if movable arm of switch S be resting on but one of strips of switch Sstrip t, for exampie-the current will be broken when tongue of arm R rests on sector-piece not connected with movable arm of switch S. Thus the rotation, caused in the manner described below by flow of current, is under perfect control.

by switch S, and by introduction of sectors properly connected with strips .9 t of said switch.

Shaft M may be made to rotate continuously or to stop and start in any position of or as many times during rotation as desired. The action of the mechanism is as follows: Suppose arm of switch S be resting on strip 1, that tongue 1' be resting on sector-shaped piece p, in which case no current will be flowing in wire of magnet, and that tension-spring ll has brought the armature G, yoke-piece L, and intermitting switch 0 into the position shown in Fig. 1. The armature is withdrawn from magnet-heads, and metallic tube c of switch 0 is pushed by screw 7L above into contact with wire fork ff. This is the position the mechanism assumes when at rest. Now, if arm of switch S be moved from strip tto rest only on strip 5, current will flow through magnet and draw armature down to m agn et-heads. This motion will be transmitted to shaft by means of pawl (Z in yoke-piece engaging a tooth of ratchet-wheel. Before armature is completely drawn into contact with magnetheads screw 72/ will strike intermitting switch 0 from below and push said switch upward till tube 6 is withdrawn from contact with wire fork The current will thus be broken and spring II will draw mechanism back into original position. Tube 6 of intermittingswitch 0 being pushed into contact with wire fork f f and metal of yoke-piece a current will again flow in magnet with similar effects. The successive oscillations of yoke-piece will be united into one continuous motion by means of stationary pawl. or detent c, which holds'ratchetwheel while pawl d is drawn backward by spring H. \Vhen the current first begins to flow, its path for a few oscillations will be this: from battery, through magnet-wire to intermitting switch, through shaft, arm R, and tongue 1' to sector p, thence to strip .9 through arm of switch S to battery. After a few oscillations tongue 1* will rest on the main piece of disk-switch P, when the current flows the same as before, as far as tongue r, thence to large part of disk-switch P, and by wire connected thereto at 1] directly to battery. Thus after a few oscillations switch S, with wires therefor, is cut out from the circuit.

The oscillations, produced as above described, will continue until tongue 1' rests on sector a of disk-switch P. Then, as we supposed arm of switch S to be resting only on strip .9, it will be evident that the current will cease flowing through magnet-wire, because the electrical connection is broken at switch S. In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 3, the sector-pieces of disk-switch P are shown as diametrically opposite. In such a case the shaft M will rotate half-way round for every change of arm of switch S from one strip to the other of said switch. If continuous motion be desired, arm of switch S should be placed so as to touch strips 3 and t at same time. If it is desirable to move only impulsively, strips .9 andt of switch S must be so far removed from each other that arm of switch S cannot touch both strips at same time. By making a disk-switch composed of sixty sectors, the odd-numbered sectors being connected with one strip of switch S and the even-numbered with other strip, it will be evident that shaft will turn onesixtieth of a turn for every change of arm of switch S from one strip to the other of said switch. By placing a proper number of sector-pieces of proper shape or size it is possible to make shaft M to complete each rotation by receiving any number of impulses of equal or of variable length. If, for example, four sector-shaped pieces be placed in diskswitch ninety degrees from each other being connected alternately with strips .9 andt of switch S i. (a, sectors 1. and 3 connected with strip 3, and sectors 2 and 4 connected with strip f -it is evident that each change of arm of switch S will produce a p1arter turn of shaft M.

Figs. 5, t3, and 7 illustrate theapplicatiou of this mechanism. Fig. 5 shows its application to governing drafts of furnaces or other tires. Fig. 0 shows its application to valves governing the supply of steam, hot or cold water, or any liquid or gas, so as to obtain any steady fixed degree of heat or cold. Fig. 7 shows application to blowing steam-whistles of factories, &c., at certain regular times of day. Fig. 5 shows room of a building heated by a fire in basement beneath. Switch S, Fig. 1, is replaced by a thermostat at 1, Fig. 5, which acts precisely the same as switch S, Fig. 1, the movable arm of switch being replaced by a thermostatic bar, (made of hard rubber and steel clamped together,) and the strips .5: and t of switch S, Fig. 1, replaced by two contactpoints on either side of the free end of thermostatic bar, the bar resting on one contact when temperature is above a fixed point and resting on other contact when temperature is below the same fixed point.

2, Fig. 5, is box containing electro-magnetic mechanism with disk switch suitable for causing half-rotations of shaft on each change of thermostatic bar from one contact to the other. Shaft of mechanism carries a crank on one extremity projecting from box, said crank being ctmnected to dampers 4' 5, Fig. 5, by chain (3 ti, Fig. 5, running over pulleys 7 7, Fig. 5, said dampers, chain, and crank so connected that a half-rotation of crank will raise one damper and drop the other. Damper at, Fig. 5, admits air beneath tire and enlivens it. Damper 5, I ig. 5, admits air into smokepipe and checks fire.

3, Fig. 5, is box containing jars for furnishing current.

The action is as follows: \Vhen temperature of building heated by fire (whether steam, hot water, or hot air) is below a certain point, the thermostatic bar rests on one contactpoint and crank on shaft of mechanism revolves half round and pulls chain attached to enlivening-damper, lifting it, and loosens chain attached to check-damper and shuts it. Now, when fire increases and temperature rises above the fixed point, thermostatic bar rests on other contact-point, crank makes a halfrevolution to its former position, pulls chain attached to check-damper an d lifts it, and loosens chain attachcd to enlivening-damper and shuts it. Thus the drafts of tire are governed by the variations of temperature, attaining a regulartemperature. It' the crank projecting from box be made to extend into an. air or smoke pipe, and shaftbear an ordinary circular damper, and if disk-switch of mechanism be made so that rotation will take place by qua-rter turns, it is evident that flow of air in the pipe will be under control,one move of thermostatic bar closing the pi pe by placing circular damper at right angles to direction of pipe, and the next move of thermostatic bar, by 1,)roducing a quarter-turn of damper, opening the pipe to flow of air.

It will be observed that in the arrangement just described the two valves or dampers -t and 5 balance each other, thus relieving the crank of the electric motor from strain and greatly red ucin the amount of work required to be done thereby in ordcrtoshift the valves.

Fig. (5 shows application -to opening and closing valves of radiator using steam.

1, Fig. U, is thermostat replacing switch S, Fig. 1, acting the sameas thermostat 1, Fig.

2, Fig. (i, is battery-box.

3, Fig. U, is electro-magnetic mechanism arranged for half-revelutions, with shaft projecting and bearing crank at either extrem ity. Said cranks are connected to valves 5 and ti, .l ig. o. ()ne of' these valves governs the ingress, the other the egress, of steam to coils of radiator at 1, Fig. (1. These valves are balanced valves similar to valves used on ordinary centrifugal steam-engine governors,

thus enabling an electric motor of comparatively little power to be employed to move them. Now, when apartment, Fig. ti, is too cold, shaft of mechanism rotates a half-turn, and crank, with counecting-link, pushes the valve-pieces so as to open both valves, thus admitting steam to radiator. \Yhen apartment is too warm, shaft completes the revolution by making another halt' turn, withdraws the valve-pieces, shuts both valves, and prevents steam from entering the radiator. By this action at changes of temperature the apartment is kept at a regular degree of heat.

Fig. 7 shows application to blowing steamwhistle at regular times of day.

1, Fig. 7, is clock replacing switch S, Fig. 1, the hour and the minute hands taking place of movable arm of said switch, and a pair of strips on dial at XII replacing strips 3 and f of switch S, Fig. 1, dial also with strips at VII, XII, I, and VI for hour-hand to touch at those points.

2, Fig. 7, is batterybox.

3, Fig. 7, is electro-magnetic mechanism.

4, Fig. 7, is steam -whistle, connected to boiler 6 '7,by pipe 7, Fig. 7 said pipe having a valve at 5, Fig. 7. This valve is similar to those described in Fig. (5, and is operated by electro-magnetic mechanism in same way. Now, when hour-hand arrives at VII and rests on strip there, and minute-hand reaches XII and strikes [irst strip of pair placed there, valve in pipe will be opened and remain so till minute-hand strikes second. strip of the pair when valve will be closed. The whistle will be blown in this way at any time desired and for any length of time desirable.

Having fully described my invention and illustrated its application, what I claim, and what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination, with a rotary shaft,l\[, of an electric motor arranged to rotate the shaft, a battery, a circuit-controlling device in connection wit-h the battery and having two contacts, a circuit-controlling switch having a main metallic portion, I in connection with the battery, and having also insulated portions in connection. with the opposite contacts of the circnit-controlling device, and a brush carried by said shaft and traveling past the main portion and the insulated portions of said circuit-controlling switch, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a rotary shaft, M, of an electro-magnet, operative reciprocating connections, including an armature, between said magnet and shaft, whereby the latter is rotated as the former is energized, an intermittent switch. consisting of a bar or plug mounted loosely in a suitable part of said reciprocating connections, and stops carried by some stationary part of the frame with which said switch comes in contact as the said connections reciprocate to shift it in its seat and thereby regulate the electric current to the magnet, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a rotary shaft, M, of an electro-magnet, operative reciprocating connections, including an armature, between said shaft and magnet, whereby the former is rotated as the latter is intermittently energized, an intermitting switch consisting of a rod or plug of insulating material, having secured thereto a conducting tube or ferrule, said switch being loosely seated in a part of said reciprocating connection, station ary stops with which said switch engages as it is reciprocated with the connections, whereby it is slid in its seat, and an electric conductor in connection with one of the terminals from the magnet bearing upon said switch and adapted to bear alternately upon the conducting and insulating portions thereof as the switch is slid in its seat, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a rotary shaft, M, of abar,reciproeated by an electro-1nagnet,car-

rying a pawl which rotates said shaft, asliding intermittent switch consisting of a plug seated loosely in an aperture in said reciprocating bar, stationary adjustable stops with which said switch engages as it moves with the bar and which slide it in its seat, and other adjustable stops which limit the amount of reciprocation of said bar, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a rotary shaft, M, carrying a ratchet-wheel, of a reciprocating bar carrying a pawl engaging with said wheel, a pawl which prevents backward movement of the wheel, an electro-magnet, E, its armature provided with an extension, I, a link connecting said armattire-extension with the reciprocating bar, and a switch which regulates the current through the magnet, substantially as described.

6. In an electro magnetic mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armature therefor, with ratch et-wheel N, with movable and stationary pawls for permitting motion of ratchet-wheel in one direction, tension-spring H for withdrawing armature, intermitting switch 0, having metallic tube 6, wire con tact-fork f f, shaft M, with disk-switch I, arm R, and tongue 0', said disk-switchhaving sector-shaped pieces n 1), connected with strips .9 I" of switch S, with said switch S and battery T, and wires therefor, all arranged and constructed as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an electric valve-regulating device, the combination of an electric motor having a rotary shaft movable with a progressive step-by-step motion, a mechanical connection between said shaft and the valve to be regulated for transmitting the motion of the one to the other, and a counter-balance for said valve, substantially as described.

8. 111 an electric valve-regulating device, the combination, with two valves to be regulated, one opened when the other is closed, and vice versa, of an electric motor having a rotary shaft movable with a progressive stepby-step motion, and connect-ions between said shaft and valves, substantially as described.

9. In an electric valve-regulating device, the combination of two valves or dampers, flexible connections between the same, and an electric motor having a cranked rotary shaft movable with a progressive step-by-step motion, to which said connections are secured between said valves, whereby the motor is relieved of the weight of the valve, substantially as described.

FRANK MILLER SPARROWV \Yitnesses:

ELLIs MENDELL, CHAS. H. ROBINSON. 

